Mavericks Luka Doncic Officially OUT For Game 1

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is officially out for Game 1 against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports. There is also a possibility that Doncic could miss both games in Dallas as there is "significant concern" whether the All-NBA guard will be available for Game 2 on Monday. This puts the Mavericks' hopes to contend for a championship in major peril.

Doncic suffered a calf strain in Dallas' regular season finale, a game the Slovenian should have sat out.

This is an absolute gut-punch for the Mavs. Dallas was one of the best teams through the second-half of the regular season and emerged as a dark horse contender in the West.

Calf strains are a tough injury to deal, which is why the Mavericks are exercising extra caution with their franchise superstar.

Though holding Doncic out now hurts their chances to make a successful 2022 playoff run, it may serve Dallas better in the long term to ensure the All-Star doesn't suffer a worse injury as a result of rushing him back to the court in a grueling postseason setting.

Doncic has been spectacular in his playoff career so far. In 13 games, the Slovenian Sensation put up ridiculous numbers of 33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. And don't forget, all of them came against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and the L.A. Clippers

It will be a tall task for guys like Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie to step up and hold down the fort for the Mavs, especially on offense. Brunson had a break out campaign, while Dinwiddie thrived and turned his 2021-22 season around since arriving in Dallas at the trade deadline in February.

The Mavericks and the Jazz open the 2022 NBA playoffs on Saturday in a 1pm ET tip. It's unfortunate that one of the league's biggest stars won't be on the floor to work his playoff magic.